Self-cleaning rake.



J. W. DOWDLE.

'SELF CLEANING BAKE.

APPLIUATIQN HLED APB. 2s, 1913,

LO92,522. Patented Apr. '7,- 1914 wwwa/Mao waraly to correspondingly dispose the trash plate 11 to its raised position in engagement with the under face of said rake head. In order to lower the trash removing plate or bar 11, so as to remove the trash engaged with the teeth of the rake, ressure must be plllaced on the head of the lt. to overcome e latter.

In practice, the rake'is used in the ordinary manner and when trash adheres to the teeth thereof, and it is desired to remove the same, said rake` is turned so thatthe bol-t is disposed downwardly. The head of 15 said bolt 1s then engaged with the ground and pressure placed thereon which will, obviously, force the trash removing member away from the rake head across the length of the teeth, thereby removing the trash therefrom. When pressure is released, the -trash removing member will be 4returned to its initial position, under tension of.v the spring 17. It will be seen also, that in its lnormal and initia'l positon,psaid ,trash re- ',1 noving member 11 will alorda strengthening means for the teeth of the rake.

' From the foregoing description of the j construction of my 11n-proved device, the operation thereof will be' readily understood 3 @and it will be seen that I have rovided a Af' device which is simple'and dura leinconstruction, inexpensive to manufacture and one which will `be very eicient and useful in operation. v y k While I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functension of the spring encircling -thetions set forth, it is obvious" that various changes in form, proportion and in the minpr details of construction ma be resorted to without de arting from t e irift or sacrificing any o the principles `o the invention.v

s Having thus what is claimed is In a device of the class described, a rake. head consisting of a plate doubled upon itself to form a pair spring spaced sections, the upper section thereof pregezting slightly beyond the llower section, e.. pini rallty of teeth having angular upper per 2 tions formed thereon for reception between the sections ofsaid rake head, niej@ clamp the spring spaced .sections cit-said rake head together and simultaneously secure said teeth therein, a channel-shaped plate adapted to be applied to kthe urelr` face of sald rake head to entirely inclose t "e front and rear edges of the latter, the bottom of saidchannel-shaped plate being pro vided withmopeningsl adjacent its forward edge, loosel receiving said teeth therethrough, an means for yieldingly retaining said plate in position against the under face ofvthe rake head, said plate also formrll a bracing means for the teeth and the hea In testimony whereof I hereunto alix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

. JOI-IN W. DOWDLE.

Witnesses:`

H. R. BELL,

H. L, CRor'roN.

described this invention, 

